NORTHEAST FLORIDA — The Fire Watch is Northeast Florida's fight to end veteran suicide. The organization is uniting War Fighters and allies to swiftly activate local assets, stand watch and build a life-saving network.
It is now official - The Fire Watch is now up and running! Mayor @lennycurry and representatives from the four surrounding counties signed the legislation this morning at City Hall.
— City of Jacksonville (COJ) (@CityofJax) November 6, 2019
The Fire Watch is a coordinated effort to end veteran suicide in our region. @YourTurnToStand pic.twitter.com/Ir5ja4Pdk1
To date, no city, county, or state has ever reduced its veteran suicide rate, and this effort will be the first of its kind in the country.
Veteran suicide is a growing crisis, with at least 20 veterans taking their lives every day in America, according to The Fire Watch. Given that Northeast Florida is home to over 125,000 veterans, the need and the challenge are evident.
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Based upon the success and experience of the Northeast Florida nonprofit K9s For Warriors, The Fire Watch recreates this effort on a regional scale with the support system and inter-connectivity required to keep veterans safe from taking their own lives.
The Fire Watch combats veteran suicide in two primary ways: First, it coordinates local resources with the many veteran service partners to assist veterans in immediate crisis; and second, it builds a Fire Watch of 10,000 veterans and allies to connect and work with each other, to stand watch for each other.
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Cox Media Group
